Huma Arquitectura had a limited budget and had to leave room for expansion

In order to accommodate new students, Huma Arquitectura relied on a horizontal plan of home-styled buildings linked together that can be easily expanded. The interior has been left quite raw, using less materials and creating a minimalist, industrial feeling softened intermittently by stickers.

Play is important at Roldan. To make sure that the students are adequately protected during their recreational periods, Huma joined the edges of some of the delightful green buildings together to create an interior courtyard. Although not all brands of Astroturf are equal, using this as opposed to real grass cuts down on both water use and maintenance.

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audigaudiJuly 14, 2011 at 5:47 am

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I appreciate the project’s constrictions, however Astroturf lends itself more to the “kitsch” variety, rather than “beautiful”. While I would consider myself a purveyor of kitsch, this still lacks … something.

I get the whole “less maintenance and watering” … but what I’m really interested in is the life cycle analysis here. Both water and an immense amount of energy went into that “grass” before it will even arrive on site. Plastic’s oil-based origination is enough to grate my nerves.

Maintenance here does include periodic disinfection as Astroturf is not able to naturally break down pathogens as real grass does. So you’re looking at a good washing and a routine spray down of a cleanser (which care should be taken into what chemicals are applied, since it is a school) Also, Green Roofs and Living Walls are all about the initial installation, after install, maintenance is minimal, there’s no need for “mowing the lawn” or any such action. About the only thing you need to watch for are invasive plants which may take root. And those, you just pull out.

Water can be maintained sustainably as well. It’s all about the cycle, which most likely this school may not have been able to afford. However, a simple rain water cache could go a long way.